Latest news with #VictoryFund
Politico
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Politico
LGBTQ+ leader: Dems should talk about ‘kitchen table issues, not about identity'
SAN FRANCISCO — The leader of the largest PAC dedicated to electing LGBTQ+ people to office says Democrats should talk about 'kitchen-table issues,' not gender identity. Evan Low, president and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, said he has been advising candidates specifically to avoid talking about trans people in sports — a focus of President Donald Trump and a rallying cry for conservatives. Arguing the issue affects few people, the former Democratic California state lawmaker said in an interview, 'This is not a top 1, top 5, top 10 or top 30 issue.' 'We want to talk about kitchen-table issues, not about identity,' Low said. 'We are running to serve the people, not to distract on issues that divide.' Low's remarks come amid widespread debate within the Democratic Party about how to win back working-class voters following the party's drubbing in November — and about how much or little to highlight issues of identity. But LGBTQ+ advocates are in Trump's crosshairs. The Republican president made anti-transgender attacks a centerpiece of his 2024 campaign, while the GOP regularly mocks Democrats over the issue. Low, who last year lost his congressional race in Silicon Valley, said the need for LGBTQ+ candidates to run pragmatic campaigns has been heightened as Trump leans into cultural wedge issues like banning the use of 'nonbinary' or 'other' options from federal documents, cutting federal funding to schools that let transgender students play on the sports teams of their gender identity and barring transgender people from serving in the military. Low said a growing number of successful campaigns are following the 'kitchen table' formula, and his organization has numbers to back it up. The Victory Fund — in its annual 'Out in America' report expected to be released today, which it shared first with POLITICO — found that the number of openly LGBTQ+ people serving in public office — 1,334 — has nearly tripled since Trump's first term. Most of those LGBTQ+ elected are serving in local offices, but the group has also made gains at the top of the ballot and even within the Trump White House. In 2018, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis became the first openly gay candidate to win a governorship. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek followed in 2022. All three are Democrats. This year, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent became the highest-ranking openly gay official in U.S. history, as part of Trump's Cabinet and fifth in the line to the presidency. According to Victory Fund, less than 3 percent of LGBTQ+ officeholders across the country are Republicans, while 89 percent are Democrats. Polis, a former member of Congress, said he's rarely felt the need to discuss his identity in his runs for governor, instead simply answering questions about his sexuality if people asked. His first statewide campaign in 2018 primarily focused on three policy issues: providing taxpayer-funded preschool and kindergarten, lowering health care costs and expanding renewable energy. 'You answer any questions, and then you move on and talk about what you want to do,' Polis said. 'It's similar to how you deal with your faith. You're not running just to represent that faith.' LGBTQ+ candidates' gains in representation might seem like a paradox considering the harsher climate the community has faced nationally in recent years as large tech companies roll back their diversity programs and Pride festivals once awash in corporate logos struggle to attract sponsors. But Polis is a potential 2028 presidential contender. Delaware Rep. Sarah McBride became the first transgender candidate elected to the House last year. There's California Rep. Robert Garcia, who is gay and a rising star in House Democratic leadership, and New York Rep. Ritchie Torres, the first member who is both Afro-Latino and openly gay. There are now transgender legislators serving in eight statehouses, including in red states like Iowa, Missouri and Montana. 'In spite of this narrative that the LGBTQ community and trans people are a liability (for Democrats), they are winning in red states,' Low said. Elliot Imse, executive director of Victory Fund, said LGBTQ+ people running for office don't need to make their identity a focus to make progress for the community. He added, 'Being an LGBTQ person and running for office is a radical act in itself.' He said much of the recent gains in representation stem from the 'Rainbow Wave' of the 2018 midterm elections, when dozens of LGBTQ+ people ran in response to Trump's first-term win. When many of them succeeded, he said, it showed others it was possible for them to run as out candidates. Imse said many elected in that wave year ran on issues like education and affordability, noting that a recent Gallup poll showed only 9.3 percent of adults identify as LGBTQ+. 'We are not going to win elections by pandering just to the nine percent of voters,' Imse said. Focusing on everyday issues, he said, helps blunt vitriol against candidates and 'really takes away from their opponents' ability to paint them as radicals who are somehow not fit for leadership roles.' Iowa state Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, the first trans lawmaker elected to the Iowa statehouse in 2024, can relate to the pragmatic approach. During last year's campaign, she said her Republican opponent attacked her with mailers that sought to cast her as a dangerous predator. She said she ignored the mailers and kept knocking doors, talking to voters about the work she had done to help small businesses as a member of the City Council in Hiawatha, Iowa, a suburb of Cedar Rapids. ''There was no need to respond to it. If you respond to it, you make it a thing,' she said. 'Iowans are fair people. They will give anybody a chance if you speak to them directly.' Top state and local LGBTQ+ politicians on LGBTQ+ Victory Fund's watch list Victory Fund provided POLITICO with a first look at its 'Top 25 Out Power List,' naming the top LGBTQ+ elected officials to keep an eye on at the state and local levels. The group included 26 people on its list. They are Colorado Gov. Jared Polis; Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey; Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek; Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi; New York City Councilmember Erik Bottcher; California Assemblymember Chris Ward; California state Sen. Caroline Menjivar; San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones; San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria; Vermont state Treasurer Mike Pieciak; Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin; Providence Mayor Brett Smiley; Guam Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio; Florida state Sen. Shevrin Jones; Nashville Metro Council member Olivia Hill; Hawaii state Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto; Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel; Maine state House Speaker Ryan Fecteau; Washington state lawmakers Laurie Jinkins and Jamie Pedersen; Connecticut state Treasurer Erick Russell; Texas state Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons; Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr; Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes; Iowa State Rep. Aime Wichtendahl; and Illinois state Rep. Kelly Cassidy.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, California AG Rob Bonta receive awards from Victory Fund
The LGBTQ+ Victory Fund presented two allies, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, with awards at its national champagne brunch Sunday at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C. Keep up with the latest in + news and politics. Moore received the Equality Champion Award, while Bonta received the Allyship Award. Both are Democrats. 'We are fighting for our lives, and we need champions like Gov. Wes Moore to use their power and visibility to support our movement,' Victory Fund President and CEO Evan Low said in a press release. 'In this critical time, we proudly celebrate Gov. Moore as our Equality Champion and are grateful for his solidarity and support when we need it most.' Moore, who took office in 2023, is Maryland's first Black governor and only the third Black governor ever elected in the U.S. He has signed legislation to ensure transgender health care, protect providers from outside prosecution, and prevent banning books. He also has spoken loudly about the need to protect LGBTQ+ rights. 'I am honored to receive this award, and I thank the Victory Fund for their extraordinary leadership,' Moore said in the release. 'At a time when we are seeing an unprecedented assault on the LGBTQIA+ community from people in power, we must each step up to protect our fellow Americans. The Victory Fund is leading the way — and I am proud to be their partner inside this work. Because nobody should have to justify their own humanity.' Of Bonta, Low said, 'We are incredibly grateful for leaders like Attorney General Rob Bonta who stand alongside us in the fight to protect our rights and freedoms, and proudly celebrate awarding him our Allyship Award. At this critical time when we are facing unprecedented attacks on our communities, we must stand together with trusted allies like Attorney General Bonta, who can help us push equality forward. I'm proud to call him a friend and one of this movement's staunch supporters.' Bonta took office in 2021. He is he first person of Filipino descent and the second Asian American to be California's AG. He has vigorously opposed attempts by the federal administration to target the LGBTQ+ community and joined other states in the fight to protect gender-affirming care. He has led the California Department of Justice to fight hate crimes, ensure LGBTQ+ children are protected and affirmed, and ensure equal access for LGBTQ+ people. 'I am incredibly honored to receive this year's Allyship Award,' Bonta said in the release. 'Now more than ever, it's important that we stand bold, united, and unwavering in our commitment to equality and justice, especially as we continue to witness blatant attacks on our LGBTQ+ community. Solidarity and allyship are more than just providing support; they're about standing up against hate and protecting the freedoms we all share. They're about challenging injustice and defending the rights of all individuals and recognizing that a threat against any of our communities is a threat against all of us. Together we can create a world where every person is seen, valued, and is able to live as their true authentic self." Moore and Bonta both spoke at the event, the latter with an introduction by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Several LGBTQ+ leaders addressed more than 500 supporters dedicated to electing LGBTQ+ people to local, state, and national office. Other featured speakers included U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Reps. Sarah McBride, Mark Takano, and Emily Randall, and more LGBTQ+ and allied political leaders.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Evan Low is on a mission to get LGBTQ+ political candidates elected. Here's his plan
Evan Low, who has been a member of the California Assembly, mayor and City Council member in Campbell, Calif., and congressional candidate, is the new president and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute. Victory Fund backs out candidates for office, while Victory Institute offers training and leadership development. Low succeeds Annise Parker, president and CEO of the organizations since 2017, who announced several months ago that she planned to step down. The Advocate had a few questions for him as he assumed his new post, and here are his answers. Keep up with the latest in + news and politics. What are your goals for Victory Fund and Victory Institute?Evan Low: Taking on this role as president and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is deeply personal to me. My story is just one example for why this work is so important — I was an endorsed candidate and a graduate of the David Bohnett Leaders Fellowship Program. Victory helped to elect me as the youngest openly LGBTQ+ mayor in the nation when I was 26 years old and then again when I was elected to the California State Assembly. I know firsthand how much this organization changes lives and helps make representation a reality. My goal is simple but urgent: to ensure LGBTQ+ people are not just present in politics but leading at every level — federal, state, and local. We're facing a wave of legislation aimed at silencing our voices, and the best way to fight back is to lead, to be visible, and to make sure our voices are impossible to ignore. Related: How has your experience as an elected official and other life experience prepared you?I know what it's like to be a candidate on the front lines of working to win and achieve representation in elected office. At 20, I ran my first race [for Campbell City Council] and lost. It was crushing. But Victory was there, reminding me to get back up — and I did. I became the mayor of Campbell and then a state legislator. I also made a run for Congress, and though I ultimately didn't win, I did gain valuable insight to help guide and support our candidates. I know firsthand how much it matters to invest in races all the way down to the hyperlocal level. Candidates and officials have a pulse on what matters in their communities. So often our candidates prove themselves to be pragmatic and results-oriented problem solvers. I've been in the trenches of politics, and I understand what it takes to run, to serve, and to make an impact. My job now is to make sure others have the same support and encouragement that I had. What are the challenges you see the organization facing, especially in light of a hostile administration in Washington?We are in a state of emergency. Across the country, lawmakers are trying to legislate us out of existence. Some of them simply don't understand us; others are actively trying to erase us. These are more than just political disagreements — they are direct attacks on our mission, our values, and even our programmatic work and funding support. But here's the thing: This moment makes our mission more relevant than ever. This moment is showing us what happens when LGBTQ+ representation is missing. The policies being pushed are proof that we need more of our voices in the rooms where decisions are made. Despite these headwinds, we persevere. Our network of elected and appointed officials is mighty and ready to face these challenges head on — not just to defend our rights but to expand them. We must show up, run for office, fight for our community, and be unapologetically present in every space where decisions are made. We must also lend a hand of partnership over partisanship. Increasing LGBTQ+ representation has the power to change hearts and minds across the political spectrum. Could you elaborate on the importance of LGBTQ+ representation at this time?Representation isn't just about checking a box; it's about making sure our voices are heard. Growing up, I didn't see many visible leaders who looked like me or shared my experience. Today, we have the chance to rewrite that narrative — to show future generations that they belong in politics, in leadership, and in every part of public life. We're not asking for special treatment. We just want the same rights and opportunities as everyone else — to have our families legally recognized, to work without fear of discrimination, to serve openly, to have autonomy over our own bodies. LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute will fight to make sure those rights are protected. How has Victory Fund affected your career?I wouldn't be here without the Victory Fund. They believed in me before I fully believed in myself. When I lost that first race, they were there, reminding me that losing isn't the end — it's just part of the journey. That's exactly what I want to do for the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders. I'm lucky to succeed the great leadership Mayor Annise Parker brought to LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory institute throughout her tenure. I am looking forward to honoring her legacy in my new role and picking up right where she left off. What has it been like being an out gay man in politics?I've been out my entire political career, and let me tell you, it hasn't always been easy. As mayor, I've officiated weddings but couldn't legally marry myself. I've hosted blood drives but wasn't allowed to donate blood because of outdated [Food and Drug Administration] policies. These experiences weren't just personal frustrations; they were reminders of why representation matters. When we have a seat at the table, we can fight to ensure future generations don't have to take on these same battles. Growing up, I didn't have many LGBTQ+ role models. It was lonely at times. But looking at where we are today, I see so much progress. We're no longer in the shadows — we're out, we're proud, and we're leading. That's what gives me hope. And that's why I'm here — to make sure every LGBTQ+ person who wants to serve knows that they'll have an army standing behind them every step of the way.
New York Times
15-02-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Home Builders Say Trump Tariffs Are Raising Construction Costs
Days after President Trump enacted 10 percent trade tariffs on all Chinese goods in early February, Bentley Zhao called the company that supplies his cabinetry, tiles and stone. The store manager told him to expect to see a 10 percent price increase for any materials coming from China. Mr. Zhao, the chief executive of New Empire, which builds high rises in New York City, was stunned to see the impact materialize so quickly. 'It's too fast,' said Mr. Zhao, 46. 'There's no time.' Chinese materials account for about a quarter of the $15 million materials budget for a 19-story condo, like the one he is currently building in Queens Plaza in Long Island City, Mr. Zhao estimated. A 10 percent increase would add around $375,000 to the overall budget, a manageable increase for a large project, he said. But Mr. Zhao is worried about larger tariffs to come. On Thursday, Mr. Trump announced sweeping plans for reciprocal tariffs that could upend global trade, and the home building industry is bracing for the impact. Some builders and developers say they are beginning to feel the squeeze: They have received contracts with escalation clauses to account for increased costs; waited as their suppliers delay updated price sheets for imported goods; and received bids that are only good for two weeks when typically they would hold for two or three months. 'If they increase an extra 30 percent or 60 percent like what the president said before, that will be trouble,' said Mr. Zhao, who develops mostly moderately-priced condos throughout the city. Mr. Zhao is a frequent political donor whose donations to President Trump include a $25,000 contribution in 2017 to his Victory Fund. The New Empire website has pictures of Mr. Zhao at various fund-raisers and events standing alongside Mr. Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, and Eric Adams, who received donations from Mr. Zhao. (There is also a photo of President Joe Biden, who gave Mr. Zhao a lifetime achievement award for community service. Mr. Zhao has headed his family business since 2004.) Builders describe an unpredictable atmosphere where they are passing the burden of tariffs placed on them by vendors onto consumers. A house that is more expensive to build becomes more expensive to buy. Add in the risk of inflation from tariffs, and interest rates could rise in response, driving up costs even more, said Gregg Colburn, an associate professor of real estate at the University of Washington. At Avenue Studio, the custom cabinetry and closet designer that recently raised Mr. Zhao's prices, Tracy Wu, the store manager, has been looking for ways to control the price changes. 'We try to deal with the factories to see if there is any way to lower the cost, to change the materials to lower priced materials,' she said. But any price changes will go to their customers, and that even includes Mr. Zhao, who is an investor in Avenue Studio. 'What this is doing is creating additional uncertainty throughout the supply chain that complicates an already pretty complicated process — which is getting housing built,' said Professor Colburn. Tariffs come at a difficult moment for the housing industry. Last year, sales of existing homes sunk to their lowest level in 30 years, amid a punishing environment of high mortgage rates, expensive homes and scant inventory. A sudden spike in building costs could threaten to slow down the construction of new homes, exacerbating the national housing shortage. 'Anything we add to the cost of a house is just going to continue to lock people out of buying a new home,' said Carl Harris, a builder in Wichita, Kan., and the chairman of the National Association of Homebuilders. Spencer Levine, the president of RAL Companies, a New York City-based developer of hotels, offices and residences, has started receiving quotes for rebar, aluminum, glass and steel and facade systems for high rises that are good for only a month or even just two weeks. Normally, such price quotes are good for two or three months. His vendors have stocked their warehouses in anticipation of a spike in prices, he said. Mr. Levine said that the unreliability of what's to come has made it difficult to prepare for any price changes. 'It's the lack of definition in how it's being presented,' he said. On Feb. 4, the day President Trump announced 10 percent tariffs on all Chinese goods, Chris Morrison, a developer, received a bid from a general contractor for a five-bedroom home he is building in a Phoenix suburb. The bid included an escalation clause to account for increases in material costs from tariffs or higher labor costs from mass deportations. 'That threw me,' he said. Mr. Morrison's air-conditioner supplier, which imports the systems from Mexico, has not updated its price sheet yet. Worried about what he sees as ominous signs, Mr. Morrison told his contractor to sign off on bids to lock in prices as much as possible on the $2.6 million job. If the project's budget balloons, Mr. Morrison says he will simply raise the price of the house when he lists it. 'At the end of the day, that price becomes the norm six months later,' he said.
